What are natural predators of cats in rural areas?
My grandma's house is in the rural area and there is a history of cats disappearing without a trace. Nobody knows what happened to them. I suspect falcons. They do try to catch chickens very near the house. What do you think?
2008-03-15T08:25:29Z
There aren't any wolves or coyotes in that area...
Country GIRL2008-03-15T08:41:50Z
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ANY PREDATOR, dogs, fox, owls. hawk. eagle, coyote, raccoon, big cats, could even be people trapping then getting rid of.
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Even in suburban areas, there are predators. I live in a rural area, but the only coyote I've ever seen in the "wild" was crossing a major interstate outside of Cleveland - in a decidedly urban area. Other friends of mine have resorted to shooting them, as they've experienced livestock loss due to predation. You would be surprised to see what wildlife can actually live in an urban setting. Raccoons, skunks, opossums, and even fox can survive if there is a small wooded area that can provide food and shelter for them. None of these are obviously capable of taking a deer, though. Coyote are making a very strong return in many states, and a pack is capable of taking a young fawn or an adult that is sick or injured. Domestic dogs will also chase deer, and if there are several dogs running as strays, will revert to pack instinct, and may even kill and partially eat a deer if the opportunity presents itself. A lot of people who let their cats out at night don't realize that coyotes in suburban areas have learned to gravitate towards the smell of cat urine. It is like ringing the dinner bell. I don't recommend allowing small dogs or cats outside unattended in areas where there is a coyote population. Coyotes are typically one of the main control's of deer population. They typically prey on fawns (which are an easy meal), the old, or the sick or injured. It's not pretty, but it's alot better than hitting one with your car. Hope this helps.
RE: What are natural predators of cats in rural areas? My grandma's house is in the rural area and there is a history of cats disappearing without a trace. Nobody knows what happened to them. I suspect falcons. They do try to catch chickens very near the house. What do you think?
It is most likely coyotes (or dogs)...coyotes COMMONLY take cats and small dogs...it is NOT falcons...birds of prey could NEVER lift a full grown cat. Yes, there are coyotes in your area..if you live ANYWHERE in the U.S. that is. Coyotes are widespread across the country. If you let your cats outdoors, really anything can happen to them. The possibility that a person is harming or killing them also exists.